Latest California Healthline Stories
Group of Companies To Expand Information Technology Bonus Program for Physicians
A group of large companies will expand a program that pays physicians an annual per-patient bonus of as much as $50 when they implement certain information technology systems to manage patient care as part of an effort to “rein in health care costs and improve the quality of care that their employees receive,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
State Regulators Temporarily Close Angels Hospital
State regulators this month temporarily shut down Angels Hospital in Rancho Cucamonga because of patient care deficiencies — some of which may have resulted in deaths — and other issues, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Prescription Drug Price Increases Outpace Inflation Rate, Two Studies Find
Price increases for brand-name prescription drugs have outpaced the overall rate of inflation in the last several years, “eroding possible savings” under the new Medicare prescription drug discount cards, according to two new studies released Tuesday, the Baltimore Sun reports.
San Francisco General Hospital Lacks Funding, Permits To Install New X-Ray Machines
San Francisco General Hospital continues to use X-ray machines that are nearly 30 years old because it does not have funding available to pay for the installation of new machines and has not obtained the necessary permits, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Physicians Recruit Patients for Medicare Disease Management Program
California physicians have begun to recruit congestive heart failure patients for a Medicare disease management pilot program that will use home monitoring equipment to track patients’ weight and other disease symptoms, the Stockton Record reports.
Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) on Tuesday sent a letter to the Department of Managed Health Care asking it to examine a decision last week by CalPERS to drop 38 of the most costly hospitals from its Blue Shield of California HMO network beginning in 2005, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Controversy at FDA Over Report on Antidepressant Use in Children
The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday looked at the ongoing debate over why FDA medical officer Dr. Andrew Mosholder was not allowed to testify at a February public hearing about a report he compiled that found antidepressants may lead to suicidal behavior in children.
More Women in Monterey County Receiving Mental Health Services
Women and girls in Monterey County are receiving mental health services more than ever before, according to a 41-page report that will be discussed Wednesday at a women’s health summit, the Monterey County Herald reports.
Hospital Advocacy Group Supports Legislation To Outsource State Review of Construction Proposals
The California Healthcare Association, an advocacy group representing hospitals, is backing a bill (AB 2973) sponsored by Assembly member Rebecca Cohn (D-Campbell) that would allow the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development to outsource most of its review functions, with funding provided by hospitals, the San Francisco Business Times reports.
AP/Wasington Times Examines Increased Use of ‘Medicaid Planning’ To Cover Cost of Care for Elderly
The AP/Washington Times on Tuesday examined the use of “Medicaid planning,” in which middle- and higher-income elderly individuals spend down their assets to qualify for Medicaid coverage for nursing home care.